Variety meat exports provide value to the U.S. beef industry
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EmailThe imposition of tariffs could affect international demand for beef variety meat products.
After discussing U.S. pork variety meat exports in a recent article, the question was asked, “What about beef?” Much like pork, a considerable share of U.S. beef production is exported each year. In 2024, approximately 11% of total U.S. beef production was exported; the top five U.S. beef export destinations were Japan, Mexico, South Korea, China and Canada.
Trade uncertainty looms over U.S. agricultural markets, including the beef sector. Since early February 2025, tariffs on U.S. trade partners have been announced, imposed and in some instances delayed. The targets of some of these tariff measures include three of the top five U.S. beef export countries: Canada, China and Mexico. The situation remains fluid, and further retaliation from targeted countries may ensue. Hence, there is value in better understanding the role these countries play in providing a market for U.S. beef products.
Collectively, Canada, China and Mexico purchased 40% of the total volume of U.S. beef exports in 2024 as shown in Figure 1. This represents the highest share of U.S. beef exports flowing to these three countries since 2009. Export markets are integral to the profitability of U.S. beef producers because they increase the value of U.S. beef. In fact, exports of U.S. beef to Canada, China and Mexico generated over $3 billion in revenue in 2024.
Figure 1. Volume of total U.S. beef exports, 2010-2024
Role of variety meats in U.S. beef exports
Much like hogs, very little is wasted when harvesting cattle. Although not demanded by the average American consumer, beef variety meat products (also referred to as offal) often end up on the dinner plates of consumers abroad. Beef variety meats include products like tripe (stomach lining) and sweetbreads (thymus gland or pancreas). In 2024, beef variety meats accounted for 22% of the total volume of U.S. beef exports, and they generated nearly $1.1 billion in revenue for the domestic beef industry.
Canada, China and Mexico are key markets for U.S. beef variety meats as illustrated in Figure 2. These three countries comprised only 15.4% of beef liver exports, which was the most exported beef variety meat product in 2024. About 60% of the product in this category was exported to Egypt. However, Canada, China and Mexico accounted for 41.4% of frozen beef offal exports and almost 90% of tripe exports. A staggering 99.9% of U.S. beef lip exports were sent to Mexico, where the product is a popular ingredient in some taco dishes. Mexico and China were the two leading destinations for beef hearts and intestines, comprising 81.5% and 59.8% of total exports in these categories, respectively.
Figure 2. Volume of U.S. beef variety meat product exports, 2024
Demand for U.S. beef can be thought of as a three-legged stool, supported by domestic retail, domestic food service, and export markets. Importantly, many of the beef products flowing to international destinations are not often consumed in domestic retail or domestic food service outlets. Thus, exporting these products reduces waste and enhances the value of the livestock marketed by U.S. producers. As global trade policies evolve, it is important to highlight the vital role international markets play in bolstering the wellbeing of the domestic beef industry. After all, if U.S. beef trade partnerships were to be harmed, what would we do with all the beef lips?
